From Fast Food to Entrepreneurship
The Business Lessons I Learned Flipping Burgers at McDonald's as a Teenager
As a teenager, one of my first jobs was working at McDonald's and I loved it!
I worked every position from cashier to flipping burgers and making egg McMuffins (the breakfast shift was my favourite). It was a fun job with great co-workers, and I loved making my own money.
What I didn’t know at the time, was the lasting impression it would make on me.
One of the big things that stands out to me now, was how they had their onboarding down to a science. There was a clear process for everything, from taking orders to cooking the food and even what to do when there was nothing to do.
The training was extensive and thorough, and it made it easy for me to understand what was expected of me. As an employee, I felt supported from day 1.
If you think about it from a branding perspective, the systems they have in place create consistency – which is crucial to any business. When customers visit a McDonald's, you know exactly what to expect. You know what the menu looks like, how the food will taste, and how the service will be.
This consistency creates trust with customers, and it's what keeps them coming back.
In addition to their SOPs (standard operating procedures), McDonald's also had monthly crew events, like bowling nights or rollerskating, which created a sense of community with its (mostly) teenaged employees. It made working there fun, and it made me feel like I was part of a team. My colleagues became my friends and I loved going to work.
You may not have a team as big as McDonalds, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a positive work culture.
When team members feel supported, cared for and like they are part of something, it leads to better employee retention, increased productivity, and a more enjoyable work environment for everyone.
McDonald's also understands the importance of customer service. Their training included not only how to take orders and cook food but also how to interact with customers.
It wasn’t always the easiest job – especially when dealing with obnoxious or drunk patrons – but I was able to handle most situations because of my training and there was always a manager close by if I needed support.
Your customers are the lifeblood of your business. Providing an exceptional and consistent experience leads to increased customer loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing. And it all starts with your internal processes.
My experience working at McDonald's taught me the value of systems, procedures, and culture within a company. The lessons I learned then, helped me to become a better business owner.
What lessons did you learn from your job as a teenager that you’ve used in your business? Comment below and let me know!
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